Use epsom salts to green up yellowed foliage especially on raspberries. We have a lot of chalk around this area which can cause an imbalance of nutrients such as Magnesium. Never used on toms Paula didn't know that.

Ooooh so many things you could replace the outer fence with. Try things like winter flowering honeysuckle shrub. for really early flowers for emerging bees.

Osmanthus Delavayi. Evergreen, early, tough as old boots

Both of them have wonderful scent too.

If you can find one and are willing to spend a bit of money and wait a few years then Cornus mas veriegata. It flowers early then foliage is lovely crisp white and green then red cherry like berries that the birds love.

Hi Diddy. I'm good but shattered as usual. 7 hours today finished just as the rain started so good timing

So what I use and why...Horse manure if soil soggy. Cow if dry. Manure beefs soil up. Opens it up if wet and sticky adds weight if dry, stony, chalky. Also good weed suppressant.

Chicken pellets Spring if I think garden needs a good boost, if not BFB. Green manure great for vege plots where you clear the ground and need to boost nutrients. Bonemeal in planting holes for shrubs, perennials...root development. Various different things like seaweed, epsom salts, potash for particular nutrients that might be lacking and miracle grow for bedding and hanging baskets....makes them flower themselves to death! Think thats everything

LOL its looking for a Rhode that confused me I think its a Choisya. If you crush and sniff smells of oranges. If it is thats the one I suggested you cut hard back next year. Would be happy half the size it is and the bees love the flowers so good for them.

I see what you mean about sterile! Looks like whoever was there before was going for low...very low...maintenance which does come at a price, ie Boring!!!

Having said that I would leave Choisya in but give it good hard prune after flowering next year and maybe a couple of the yellow conifers. That will give you good garden structure to add to.

Looking at the two Lilacs you bought I would say the brown marks are fine...bit of heat/sun damage I think, nothing to worry about. The notches in the leaves look like vine weevil damage The beetles are not a problem only the larvae. With the gravel around them now and the fact they are in the ground the beetles won't be able to lay. Once they start growing next year and the leaves aren't so fresh and juicy you won't have such a problem. If you like to squish nasties though, go out with a torch at night and catch them in the act